Posted on 07/28/2004 3:18:36 PM PDT by swilhelm73
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Economists searching for reasons why some nations are richer than others have found that those with a wide belief in hell are less corrupt and more prosperous, according to a report by the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) Bank of St. Louis.
Researchers at the regional Federal Reserve bank acknowledged the importance of productivity and investment in the economic process but looked at some recent unconventional efforts to explain differences in national prosperity.
The St Louis Fed drew on work by outside economists who studied 35 countries, including the United States, European nations, Japan, India and Turkey and found that religion shed some useful light.
"In countries where large percentages of the population believe in hell, there seems to be less corruption and a higher standard of living," the St. Louis Fed said in its July quarterly review.
For instance, 71 percent of the U.S. population believe in hell and the country boasts the world's highest per capita income, according to the 2003 United Nations (news - web sites) Human Development Report and 1990-1993 World Values Survey.
Ireland, not far behind the United States in terms of income, likewise has a healthy fear of a nether world with 53 percent of the population acknowledging hell's existence.
How about those who believe in God? Was it just too painful for them to use the G-word?
The Judeo-Christian God, that is.
It's been argued that Protestant countries have tended, on average, to have more prosperity and less corruption than Catholic countries. Certainly a comparison of the U.S. (still mainly protestant, for the next few years at least) with any countries to the South does little to contradict that claim.
It's been argued that Protestant countries have tended, on average, to have more prosperity and less corruption than Catholic countries. Certainly a comparison of the U.S. (still mainly protestant, for the next few years at least) with any countries to the South does little to contradict that claim.
IRELAND is a leader-WOW
I believe in Hell-----I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR FIVE YEARS !!!!!OHHHHHHH!! OHHHHHH!!!! <--SAM KINNISON
It's been argued by whom? You?
You mean you're actually trying to discuss something besides how corrupt George W. Bush is by going to war against Iraq?
Oh, and tell me in which Latin American country is Catholicism the official state religion.
Ya.. you southern Baptist types are so peace lovin'
that correction is crucial as there are a lot of people who like the spiritual aspect of religion without responsibility it entails
Ahem. You started a debate with several freepers who have questions for you. Questions perhaps you would wish to ignore.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1180414/posts
Sorry, but I'm not going to debate with you whether Iraq was a threat --- since it's now very clear it wasn't --- any more than I would waste time debating if you insisted that the moon is made of cheese.
Weber. Tawney. Even, I think, Pro. Landes of Harvard in his book on how countries become wealthy (i'm only going on memory as re. Landes).
The 9/11 Commission members disagree with you.
Do you understand that the 9/11 Commission Report said that they had reports from 78 different sources that Hussein's regime was actively training officers for terrorist attacks against America?
Do you understand that the 9/11 Commission Report says that Iraq provided AQ with training, bomb making, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training?
Do you understand that the 9/11 Commission Report says that there were direct meetings between senior Iraqi intelligence officers and top AQ operatives that took place?
Do you understand that the truth about yellowcake uranium is the exact opposite of what Joe Wilson said it was and that Iraq was trying to buy uranium?
Do you understand that President Putin said publicly that Russian intelligence warned Washington several times following 9/11 that Hussein planned to attack America? Putin was opposed to the war in Iraq and has no reason to support the president on this matter.
Do you understand that Hussein knew that 9/11 was coming and bragged in July 2001 about AQ striking America on the arm that is already hurting (referring to the WTC) and we would never sing New York, New York again without crying?
Do you understand that Iraq was involved in the first WTC bombing?
Do you understand this is a war on terror in general, not just against AQ. The 9/11 Commission Report says Saddam supported Hezbollah, Hamas, AQ, the PLO. ALl of them.
Which part of any of this don't you understand?
That's not how i'd define a Catholic country - - rather, one where the overwhelming majority of people are Catholic.
Oops. Wrong thread. Sorry folks.
Correlation is not causeation.
The WORLD agreed that Hussein was a threat. And every single one of the world's most sophisticated intelligence services said he had WMDs.
In the face of that, you wanted us to wait?
Hell is where you go to meet believers in Hell.
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